Tesla Solar

What Tesla Solar does

Tesla Solar SA is a privately held, B2B wholesale distributor of solar energy equipment headquartered in Kraaifontein, Cape Town, South Africa. The company was founded by Francois Matthee from his garage and scaled to a reported turnover of more than R500 million within roughly two years, currently operating with 11–50 employees. It serves an exclusively business customer base — including solar installers, resellers, and small-to-medium enterprises — and does not sell directly to the public; end-customer installation is handled by a network of approved installer partners such as Barbossa Solar.

The company's product portfolio is built around three core equipment categories: Tier 1 certified solar panels (Longi, Jinko, JA Solar, Photon, Sunwoda), lithium-ion batteries (Solar MD, Victron, Dyness, Shoto, Sunwoda), and inverters (Deye, GoodWe, Luxpower, Victron), supplemented by mounting structures, PV cables, and switchgear. Tesla Solar SA is positioned as a primary South African distributor of locally built Solar MD batteries and Deye inverters, which is a stated point of differentiation. Products are sold exclusively through a gated online portal requiring account registration and admin approval, with full upfront payment required before customers collect from the company's warehouse in Cape Town. The company advertises a price-beat guarantee and provides warranty support, technical troubleshooting, training, and co-branded marketing materials to its installer and reseller partners.

Named enterprise and institutional customers include Virgin Active (gyms nationwide), the University of the Western Cape, Stellenbosch High School, Saldanha/Shelley Point Hotel, and Roche pharmaceutical. The company is founder-owned, with no disclosed external institutional investment, no subsidiaries, and no reported M&A activity. Geographic operations are concentrated in South Africa (anchored in Western Cape), and the firm is an active content publisher through its "Beyond the Grid" blog and broad social media presence.

Name

Tesla Solar

Legal name

Tesla Solar SA

Website

https://teslasolarsa.co.za

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Tesla Solar SA is a Cape Town-based B2B wholesale distributor of Tier 1 solar panels, batteries, and inverters serving installers, resellers, and SMBs across South Africa through a gated online portal and approved installer network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Solar Equipment Wholesale Distribution

SIC

Wholesale-Electronic Parts & Equipment, Nec (5065)

akta.pro primary industry

Solar Distribution & Wholesale Supply (Channel, Procurement, Logistics) (EUAMABAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Solar Balance-of-System Components (Cables, Combiner Boxes, Switchgear, Transformers) (EUAMABAG), Solar Mounting, Racking & Trackers (Fixed-Tilt, Single/Dual-Axis, Rooftop Mounts) (EUAMABAF)

Keywords

• Solar equipment distribution
• Wholesale solar panels
• Lithium-ion batteries
• Solar inverters supply
• Renewable energy products

Headquarters

HQ city

Cape Town

HQ country

South Africa

HQ region

Africa

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Wholesale Solar Equipment Distribution: Tesla Solar SA operates as a wholesale distributor of solar equipment to businesses (installers, resellers, and SMBs). Revenue is generated through one-time product sales at wholesale prices. Customers select products on the website, request a quote, pay in full upfront, and collect items from the warehouse. The company also distributes locally built brands such as Solar MD batteries and Deye inverters.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Tesla Solar SA is a B2B wholesale distributor of premium solar energy equipment supplying Tier 1 certified solar panels, lithium-ion batteries, inverters, mounting structures, PV cables, and switchgear to installers, resellers, and SMBs across South Africa. Products are sold exclusively to businesses through a gated website portal requiring account approval, with full payment collected before warehouse collection.

Product overview

Tesla Solar SA is a wholesale distribution business offering a curated portfolio of premium solar products to businesses across South Africa. The product range centers on three core components—Tier 1 certified solar panels (from brands like Longi, Jinko, JA Solar), lithium-ion battery storage systems (from Solar MD, Victron, Dyness), and inverters (from Deye, GoodWe, Luxpower)—alongside essential accessories including mounting structures, PV cables, and switchgear. The company supplies exclusively to businesses (installers, resellers, and commercial enterprises) through a membership-based online ordering platform. Tesla Solar SA operates as a distributor rather than an installer, providing products that support grid-tied, off-grid, and hybrid solar system configurations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Solar Panels
• Batteries High-quality lithium-ion batteries for energy storage suitable for residential, commercial, and industrial solar installations, sourced from brands including Solar MD, Victron, Dyness, Shoto, and Sunwoda and supplied wholesale to installers, resellers, and SMBs.
• Inverters Solar inverters that convert DC electricity from solar panels into AC electricity for homes and businesses, sourced from brands including Deye, GoodWe, Luxpower, and Victron and supplied wholesale to installers, resellers, and SMBs for grid-tied, off-grid, and hybrid solar systems.
• Mounting Structures Mounting structures for secure installation of solar panel systems, including Solar Grip brand products, supplied wholesale to installers and resellers across South Africa.
• PV Cables PV cables for solar panel wiring and electrical connections in solar energy installations, supplied wholesale to installers, resellers, and SMBs.
• Switchgear Switchgear products designed for optimal protection in solar energy systems, supplied wholesale to installers, resellers, and SMBs.

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• DeyecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDeye is a trusted solar brand whose inverters and batteries are distributed by Tesla Solar SA across South Africa. Deye products are part of the core product range offered to installers and resellers.
• Solar MDcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSolar MD is a locally built South African battery brand distributed exclusively by Tesla Solar SA. This is a key differentiator as it is a domestically manufactured product in the portfolio.
• VictroncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVictron is a trusted solar brand whose inverters and batteries are distributed by Tesla Solar SA as part of the curated product portfolio.
• DynesscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDyness batteries are distributed by Tesla Solar SA as part of the product range.
• GoodWecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGoodWe inverters are distributed by Tesla Solar SA as part of the curated brand portfolio.
• LuxpowercoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLuxPower inverters are distributed by Tesla Solar SA as part of the product range.
• Solar GripminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSolar Grip mounting structures are distributed by Tesla Solar SA.
• ShotominorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorShoto batteries are distributed by Tesla Solar SA as part of the product range.
• LongicoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLongi solar panels are distributed by Tesla Solar SA. Longi is a globally recognized solar panel manufacturer.
• JinkocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorJinko solar panels are distributed by Tesla Solar SA. Jinko is a globally recognized tier 1 solar panel manufacturer.
• JA SolarcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorJA Solar panels are distributed by Tesla Solar SA as part of the Tier 1 certified solar panel portfolio.
• PhotonminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPhoton solar products are distributed by Tesla Solar SA.
• SunwodaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSunwoda batteries are distributed by Tesla Solar SA.
• Barbossa SolarcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBarbossa Solar is an approved installation partner of Tesla Solar SA, using products supplied by Tesla Solar SA to complete solar installations for end customers. The partnership is featured on Tesla Solar SA's Supplied Installations page.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• GoSolr: South African solar installer and equipment supplier focused on residential and commercial PV and battery systems. Comparable as a competitor operating in the South African solar supply channel with overlapping product categories and installer/reseller customer base.
• Sustainable.co.za: South African online retailer and wholesaler of solar panels, inverters, batteries, and related renewable energy products. Comparable because it operates in the same South African market with a similar product mix (Tier 1 panels, lithium batteries, hybrid inverters) targeted at installers and end customers.
• ARTsolar: South African solar panel manufacturer and distributor supplying PV modules to the local market. Comparable as a domestic supplier of Tier 1 solar products into the South African installer channel, overlapping with Tesla Solar SA on panel distribution and South African solar market reach.
• Krannich Solar: One of the world's largest wholesale distributors of solar PV components, with a presence in South Africa. Directly comparable as a B2B-only solar equipment wholesaler offering panels, inverters, batteries, mounting, and BOS to installer and reseller customers.
• SolarAfrica: South African solar PV supplier and installer offering panels, inverters, and batteries to commercial and residential customers. Comparable because it distributes the same core solar product categories to installer and SMB customers in South Africa.
• Segen Solar: UK-headquartered wholesale distributor of solar PV components serving installers across multiple geographies including Africa. Comparable because it operates the same B2B-only, installer-focused, multi-brand distribution model for panels, inverters, batteries, and mounting hardware.
• The Solar Company: South African solar PV distributor offering panels, inverters, and mounting hardware to installers and end customers. Comparable because it operates in the same domestic market with a similar product range targeting installer and SMB buyers.
• Rubicon Solar: South African solar energy equipment distributor and solutions provider offering panels, inverters, and batteries. Comparable as a domestic competitor distributing the same core solar product categories to installers and commercial customers in South Africa.

Emerging players

• d.light: Solar home system manufacturer and distributor serving emerging markets across Africa and Asia. Comparable only partially as both distribute solar energy products through partner channels in Africa; d.light focuses on lower-tier residential solar whereas Tesla Solar SA targets SMBs and commercial grid-tied.

Broad incumbents

• Sun King: Large-scale distributed solar energy company serving off-grid households across Africa and Asia. Comparable in distribution model (multi-brand product supply through partner channels) but operates in a different customer segment (off-grid residential PAYG) versus Tesla Solar SA's B2B grid-tied/commercial focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/wix
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/Wix
• Facebookfacebook.com/teslasolarsa
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/tesla-solar-sap
• Instagraminstagram.com/wix
• TikToktiktok.com/@wix

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Tesla Solar